Torino is reportedly considering Armel Bella-Kotchap, a 23-year-old German defender born in Paris, as a potential addition to their defense. Tuttosport has noted that while Maripan is a certainty, there are numerous uncertainties in the defense, prompting consideration of Bella-Kotchap. Bella-Kotchap was acquired by Southampton from Bochum for 10 million euros in 2022 and had a promising first season in the Premier League, despite experiencing some injuries. However, a shoulder injury during his loan to PSV in the 2023-24 season affected his performance. Upon returning to Southampton, he was reportedly not part of Russell Martin's plans and was placed on the market last summer. Despite significant interest from Hoffenheim, no agreement was reached, leaving Bella-Kotchap in a difficult situation at Southampton. His debut in the Premier League occurred only after Juric took over as manager, who reportedly emphasized Bella-Kotchap's importance to the team and praised the German defender's capabilities.